New History of the Marathas v1.c6.90

v1.c6.90

It thus becomes clear how Shahji made the best of a bad bargain. By boldly standing forth to oppose the Mughal Emperor, he served the cause of the Deccan sultanates and earned their respect and goodwill as a champion of their liberties. Ranadulla Khan, the Adil Shah’s favourite general exerting great influence in his counsels, became Shahji’s supporter and intimate friend. Kanhoji Jedhe, the Deshmukh of Kari, who was indispensable to Bijapur in keeping order in the western lands, did his utmost through Ranadulla Khan to shield Shahji from the Mughal wrath. The Adil Shah undertook the responsibility of seeing that Shahji created no mischief again in the Maval regions, from which Shah Jahan had finally expelled him. This clearly proves in what high estimation both Shah Jahan and the Adil Shah held Shahji. Thus the war that had devastated the land for nearly nine years came to a close in October 1636. Shah Jahan had no personal grudge against Shahji and wisely accepted the Adil Shah’s guarantee for his good conduct. Shahji, however, cleverly managed to retain possession of his Jagir of Poona and left his wife Jija Bai and her guardian Dadaji Konddev to manage it on his behalf, himself being debarred from residing in it. The child Shivaji thus became a personal witness of these momentous events.